Under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which projects require contractors to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination?

• A. Only renovations in government buildings
• B. Renovations that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified
• C. Renovations to commercial offices are exempt from lead rules
• D. Contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

Answer: (D)

When renovations disturb lead-based paint, the rule requires action to prevent lead contamination. Specifically, projects in homes, childcare facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be handled by contractors who are EPA-certified and who follow defined lead-safe work practices to minimize dust and exposure.

This is why the best choice is the one that states both pieces: certification of the contractor and adherence to specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. The rule covers target housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, not just government buildings or commercial offices. Statements that only mention certification or that claim exemptions miss important parts of the rule: certification alone isn’t enough without following the required lead-safe practices, and limiting the scope to government buildings (or declaring exemptions for offices) doesn’t reflect where the rule actually applies.